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Experimental and Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Projectile Nose Shape on the Deformation and Energy Dissipation Mechanisms of the Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) Composite

Authors :
Fuchi Wang
Xingwang Cheng
Cheng Miao
Yangwei Wang
Yonghua Shen
Qunbo Fan
Zhaopu Yan
Source :
Materials, Volume 14, Issue 15, Materials, Vol 14, Iss 4208, p 4208 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021

Abstract

The effect of projectile nose shape on the ballistic performance of the ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) composite was studied through experiments and simulations. Eight projectiles such as conical, flat, hemispherical, and ogival nose projectiles were used in this study. The deformation process, failure mechanisms, and the specific energy absorption (SEA) ability were systematically investigated for analyzing the ballistic responses on the projectile and the UHMWPE composite. The results showed that the projectile nose shape could invoke different penetration mechanisms on the composite. The sharper nose projectile tended to shear through the laminate, causing localized damage zone on the composite. For the blunt nose projectile penetration, the primary deformation features were the combination of shear plugging, tensile deformation, and large area delamination. The maximum value of specific energy absorption (SEA) was 290 J/(kg/m2) for the flat nose projectile penetration, about 3.8 times higher than that for the 30° conical nose projectile. Furthermore, a ballistic resistance analytical model was built based on the cavity expansion theory to predict the energy absorption ability of the UHMWPE composite. The model exhibited a good match between the ballistic resistance curves in simulations with the SEA ability of the UHMWPE composite in experiments.

Details

ISSN :
19961944
Volume :
14
Issue :
15
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....e6514533245a395e5a6e4b9b15b5bf8d